Ferrari says the Scuderia Spider 16M is the highest performance Spider that it’s ever made, as fast around Fiorano as both the 458 and the Enzo, like the fixed-head F430 Scuderia this car also incorporates what Ferrari calls ‘F1-derived’ technology
The car is 80 Kg lighter than the standard 430 spider due not least to the extensive use of carbon fibre titanium springs and wheel bolts, further weight was shaved by using new materials for the bumpers, diffuser and aerodynamic undertray. There has also been a major overhaul of the double wishbone suspension, new dampers, steering and superb carbon ceramic brakes, a measure of the 16M’s extreme engineering brief.
80 per cent of the engine’s torque (which peaks at 473lb ft at 5250rpm) is now on tap from 3000rpm. The engine drives the F1-SuperFast2 six-speed transmission, which can execute shifts in a claimed 60 milliseconds via the steering wheel paddles and also has an auto setting.
Helping keep the 16M on the road is the F1-Trac traction control system and the E-Diff intelligent differential. The driver can select five basic ‘characters’ for the 16M via the Manettino.
Under hard acceleration, resonators in the intake manifold switch over to deliver the most extraordinary, howling, moaning engine noise. Full bore acceleration is brutally effective 60mph comes up in just 3.7secs and it has a top speed of 196 mph (315 km/h).